Two-thirds of Toronto parents ‘certain or somewhat likely’ to get young kids vaccinated against COVID-19, survey says
Most of these parents said they’re likely or very likely to do so in the near future
Of the 1,921 surveyed, 87 per cent said they would get their child vaccinated
The city of Toronto’s public health unit is urging parents of young children to get their children vaccinated against COVID-19, while encouraging others to support them if they cannot.
The immunization program is being offered through a partnership with the Toronto District Public Health Authority (TDPH) and the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Immunization Program (PHACIP) to “make sure that we are getting the right number of immunizations,” said Dr. David Williams, medical officer of health for TDPH.
Dr. Williams said he is particularly focusing on vaccinating kids of preschool age in the coming weeks, in the hopes that it will help decrease the spread of the virus.
“The other important thing we want to do is make sure that if there’s not a doctor around who would deliver the vaccine, that an alternative source for getting it is available for that child or for that individual,” he said.
As a reminder, Ontario is asking parents to talk to their children about the importance of protecting themselves. For more information, please visit this link.
“In the beginning of the pandemic, we’re not recommending that young children get vaccinated, because we don’t know of a risk for them from this virus,” said Dr. Williams. “We know that there is some increase in the number of children getting influenza, but that’s far outweighed by the increased number of people who are immunosuppressed as a result of getting older, or through chemotherapy or radiation.”
While Dr. Williams said he doesn’